Crisis-Intervention Training, or CIT, not only gives police and non-sworn employees additional tools they can apply to calls involving the mentally ill, veterans with post-traumatic-stress disorder or the homeless, but it helps build equity in the community by connecting them with stakeholders that will work with them directly.
Here are a few of the things officers learned at the first ever East Valley Regional Crisis Intervention Team training: Photo: Carlos Chavez/The Republic

Find out if the person has a history of mental illness, and if so, what medications they take. If not, try to learn if they recently suffered a traumatic experience. Patrick Breen/The Republic

Assess whether the person is a danger to themselves or others. Photo: Patrick Breen/The Republic

Establish a perimeter to protect them and the safety of all those concerned. Photo: Patrick Breen/The Republic

Lessen distractions like noise and bystanders to try to diffuse the situation. Photo: Patrick Breen/The Republic

Remain calm, avoid overacting and treat the person with respect. They are human beings with feelings. Photo: Patrick Breen/The Republic